Effects of photosynthetic models on the calculation results of photosynthetic response parameters in young Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. plantation

Accurately predicting the crown photosynthesis of trees is necessary for better understanding the C circle in terrestrial ecosystem. However, modeling crown for individual tree is still challenging with the complex crown structure and changeable environmental conditions. This study was conducted to explore model in modeling the photosynthesis light response curve of the tree crown of young Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. Plantation. The rectangular hyperbolic model (RHM), non-rectangular hyperbolic model (NRHM), exponential model (EM) and modified rectangular hyperbolic model (MRHM) were used to model the photosynthetic light response curves. The fitting accuracy of these models was tested by comparing determinants coefficients (R2), mean square errors (MSE) and Akaike information criterion (AIC). The results showed that the mean value of R2 of MRHM (R2 = 0.9687) was the highest, whereas MSE value (MSE = 0.0748) and AIC value (AIC = -39.21) were the lowest. The order of fitting accuracy of the four models for Pn-PAR response curve was as follows: MRHM > EM > NRHM > RHM. In addition, the light saturation point (LSP) obtained by MRHM was slightly lower than the observed values, whereas the maximum net photosynthetic rates (Pmax) modeled by the four models were close to the measured values. Therefore, MRHM was superior to other three models in describing the photosynthetic response curve, the accurate values were that the quantum efficiency (α), maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax), light saturation point (LSP), light compensation point (LCP) and respiration rate (Rd) were 0.06, 6.06 μmol·m-2s-1, 802.68 μmol·m-2s-1, 10.76 μmol·m-2s-1 and 0.60 μmol·m-2s-1. Moreover, the photosynthetic response parameters values among different layers were also significant. Our findings have critical implications for parameter calibration of photosynthetic models and thus robust prediction of photosynthetic response in forests.

Upwelling Irradiance below Sea Ice—PAR Intensities and Spectral Distributions

Upwelling and downwelling spectral (320–920 nm) distributions and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) intensities were measured below a first-year land-fast sea ice in a western Greenland fjord with and without a snow cover. Time-series of surface upwelling PAR, downwelling PAR, and under-ice PAR were also obtained. Spectral distributions of upwelling and downwelling irradiances were similar except for reduced intensities in the UV, the red, and NIR parts of the spectrum when the ice was snow-covered. Upwelling PAR amounted to about 10% of downwelling intensities, giving 5.1 µmol photons m−2 s−1 at the bottom of the ice with a snow cover and 8.2 µmol photons m−2 s−1 without. PAR partitioning analyses showed that the upwelling was related to scattering by suspended particles in the water column. A snow melt increased under-ice daily maximum downwelling PAR from 50 to 180 µmol photons m−2 s−1 and overall under-ice PAR of 55 and 198 µmol photons m−2 s−1 with 10% upwelling. It is concluded that upwelling PAR below sea ice might be an important factor regarding sea ice algae photophysiology and performance with a 10% higher PAR; specifically when PAR > Ek the light saturation point of the sea ice algae.

The in vitro banana-leaf-fragment technique preserves the photosynthetic apparatus

In vitro studies of plant-pathogen interactions using leaf-fragments remains controversial compared to those studies under field conditions. The leaf-fragments technique, which predominantly uses benzimidazole in the culture medium to retard senescence, has been reported as reliable, fast, and inexpensive for analysis of aggressiveness and resistance in the Mycosphaerella fijiensis-Musa spp. interaction. However, no data have been published verifying whether in vitro banana leaf fragments maintain photosynthetic activity, which is a requirement for studying this interaction. In this study, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II, electron transport rate, transpiration, carbon dioxide exchange, light saturation point, and stomatal density were evaluated in in vitro leaf fragments of the Grand Nain banana genotype. Furthermore, the same parameters were also attained for leaves from plants in the field (during two seasons) and greenhouse conditions. The photosynthetic yield was constant during the experiment in leaf fragments with benzimidazole, and the photosynthetic rates on day 30 were similar throughout the whole experiment. This study supports that the banana-leaf-fragment technique as such protects the photosynthetic apparatus and then is suitable for studies on interactions such as that of M. fijiensis-Musa acuminata.

Growth and Photosynthetic Capacity of Basil Grown for Indoor Gardening under Constant or Increasing Daily Light Integrals

In the quest to identify minimum daily light integrals (DLIs) that can sustain indoor gardening, we evaluated DLIs less than the recommended ranges for commercial production of basil (Ocimum basilicum). Experiments were conducted for 8 weeks to evaluate the effect of providing a constant vs. an increasing DLI over time (DLIInc) on growth and photosynthetic capacity of green (‘Genovese Compact’) and purple (‘Red Rubin’) basil grown hydroponically under a constant ambient temperature of 21 °C. Plants were grown under a 14 h·d–1 photoperiod and were subjected to the following DLI treatments: 4 (DLI4), 6 (DLI6), 8 (DLI8), or 10 (DLI10) mol·m–2·d‒1 (80, 119, 159, and 197 µmol·m‒2·s‒1, respectively); DLIInc was used as a fifth treatment and was achieved by transitioning hydroponic systems systematically to treatments with greater DLIs every 2 weeks. In general, regardless of cultivar, leaf area, leaf number, and overall growth [shoot fresh weight (SFW) and shoot dry weight (SDW)] were similar for plants grown under DLIInc to DLI4 and DLI6 during weeks 2, 4, and 6. However, plants grown under DLIInc produced the same leaf area as those grown under DLI10 at week 8. Nonetheless, across weeks, growth was significantly less under DLIInc compared with DLI10, but similar to that produced by DLI8 at week 8. Photosynthetic responses were significant only at week 8, for which leaves of plants grown under DLI8, DLI10, and DLIInc had 15% to 25% greater maximum gross carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation (Amax) than plants grown under DLI4. The light saturation point of photosynthesis was unaffected by DLI, but showed a general increasing trend with greater DLIs. Overall, our results suggest that providing a constantly high DLI results in greater growth and yield than increasing the DLI over time. In addition, we found that changes in Amax and the light saturation point are not good indicators of the capacity of whole plants to make use of the available light for photosynthesis and growth. Instead, morphological and developmental traits regulated by DLI during the initial stages of production are most likely responsible for the growth responses measured in our study.

Effects of light stress and light recovery on two maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars

The responses of a density-tolerant (ZD909) and a density-intolerant (DY405) maize cultivar to weak light stress and light recovery were compared. Photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were analyzed under three light treatments: natural light (control), 44% shading and 66% shading. The light-saturation point and light-compensation point of both the maize cultivars decreased, whereas the apparent quantum efficiency increased during the shade period and the decreasing degree of light-saturation point and light-compensation point and the increasing degree of apparent quantum efficiency of the ZD909 were both higher than those of DY405. The weak light stress in the spike stage had a greater influence on the photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of DY405, which indicated DY405 was less able to adapt to a weak light environment compared with ZD909.

Photosynthetic Characteristics of Four Wild Dendrobium Species in China

Photosynthetic physiology of Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium pendulum, Dendrobium chrysotoxum, and Dendrobium densiflorum was studied. A bimodal diurnal variation of the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was observed in the four Dendrobium species with the first peak [5.09 to 6.06 μmol (CO2) per m−2·s−1] ≈1100 hr and the second peak [3.83 to 4.58 μmol (CO2) per m−2·s−1] at 1500 hr. No CO2 fixation was observed at night. For all four Dendrobium species, the light compensation point (LCP) was 5 to 10 μmol·m−2·s−1, light saturation point (LSP) ranged from 800 to 1000 μmol·m−2·s−1, apparent quantum yield (AQY) was 0.02, and CO2 compensation points (CCP) and saturation point (CSP) were 60 to 85 μmol·mol−1 and 800 to 1000 μmol·mol−1, respectively. Carboxylation efficiency (CE) values ranged from 0.011 to 0.020. The optimum temperature for photosynthesis was between 26 and 30 °C. The measurement of Pn seasonal variation indicated that July to August had the higher Pn for Dendrobium species. Additionally, the chlorophyll a/b (Chl a/b) ratios of the leaves were 2.77 to 2.89. Measurement of key enzymes in the photosynthetic pathway indicated relatively high Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) and glycolate oxidase (GO) activities but very low phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activities. It suggested that these four Dendrobium species are typical semishade C3 plants.

Differential Effects of Lichens versus Liverworts Epiphylls on Host Leaf Traits in the Tropical Montane Rainforest, Hainan Island, China

Epiphylls widely colonize vascular leaves in moist tropical forests. Understanding the effects of epiphylls on leaf traits of host plants is critical for understanding ecological function of epiphylls. A study was conducted in a rain forest to investigate leaf traits of the host plantsPhotinia prunifoliacolonized with epiphyllous liverworts and foliicolous lichens as well as those of uncolonized leaves. Our results found that the colonization of lichens significantly decreased leaf water content (LWC), chlorophyll (Chl) a and a + b content, and Chl a/b ofP. prunifoliabut increased Chl b content, while that of liverworts did not affect them as a whole. The variations of net photosynthetic rates(Pn)among host leaves colonized with different coverage of lichens before or after removal treatment (a treatment to remove epiphylls from leaf surface) were greater than that colonized with liverworts. The full cover of lichens induced an increase of light compensation point (LCP) by 21% and a decrease of light saturation point (LSP) by 54% for their host leaves, whereas that of liverworts displayed contrary effects. Compared with the colonization of liverworts, lichens exhibited more negative effects on the leaf traits ofP. prunifoliain different stages of colonization. The results suggest that the responses of host leaf traits to epiphylls are affected by the epiphyllous groups and coverage, which are also crucial factors in assessing ecofunctions of epiphylls in tropical forests.

The Photosynthetic Characteristics of Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) for Different Canopy Leaves

The carbon sequestration ability of different ages of Phyllostachys pubescens was analyzed at three canopy layers with a LI-6400 portable photosynthesis system. Under different photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of upper and middle layers of 3-year old bamboo were significantly higher than that of lower layer. When the light was greater than 800 umol·m-2·s-1, the Pn of bamboo in middle layer was in the order of 3-year-old > 4-year- old >2-year-old >7-year-old bamboo. When the light was greater than 500 umol·m-2·s-1, Pn of lower layer was in the order of 3-year old > 4-year old >2-year old, while in the order of 3-year-old > 2-year -old >4-year-old bamboo during the low light range (PAR<200 umol·m-2·s-1).The chlorophyll a/b value, maximum net photosynthetic rate, light compensation point and light saturation point values change were reduced gradually with the decrease of canopy height.

Leaf physiological response to light environment of three tree fern species in a Mexican cloud forest

Abundance and physiology of three understorey tree fern species were compared in a Mexican cloud forest. We hypothesized that the distribution of species would be associated with canopy openness and leaf physiological characteristics. In gullies (1–2% full sun), Alsophila firma was abundant, Cyathea divergens was distributed in moderately open places (4–9%), and Lophosoria quadripinnata preferred more open canopy (9–30%). Although 11 leaf traits of five plants of each species growing under closed and open canopies over 1 y did not differ within species, there were significant interspecific differences. Alsophila firma had comparatively low maximum electron transport rate ETRmax (26.8 ± 1.81 μmol m−2 s−1) and ETR light saturation point (ETRLSP: 261 ± 36.1 μmol m−2 s−1), high specific leaf area (SLA), thin leaves and decreased quantum yield during a leaf desiccation experiment. Cyathea divergens had relatively high maximum quantum yield (0.84 ± 0.004), ETRmax (37.3 ± 1.8 μmol m−2 s−1) and ETRLSP (409 ± 40.0 μmol m−2 s−1). Lophosoria quadripinnata had comparatively thick leaves, low SLA, high predawn water potential, high density (606 ± 25.5 mm−2) and small length (0.026 ± 0.002 mm) stomata. The results support the hypothesis that light sensitivity shapes tree fern distribution in the cloud forest.

The Effect of KHCO3 on Photosynthesis of Eggplant Seedlings

The low concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is one of the main factors to restrict photosynthesis of C3 plants. The effect of KHCO3 on photosynthesis of eggplant seedlings was studied in order to improve photosynthesis of C3 plants. The results showed that KHCO3 could significantly enhance the photosynthetic rate of eggplant seedlings. 500mg/L KHCO3 was the most optimal concentration to improve photosynthetic rate of eggplant seedlings. KHCO3 could increase light saturation point, CO2 saturation point, carboxylase efficiency and lower CO2 compensate point of eggplant seedlings. KHCO3 could improve stomatal conductance and electron transport activity. There was phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in leaves of eggplant seedlings, but PEPC activity was low. KHCO3 could improve ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity and PEPC activity. From impact factors, HCO3- could enhance photosynthetic rate. K+ could raise stomatal conductance of eggplant seedlings. HCO3- could improve activity of PEPC . Both HCO3- and K+ could increase Rubisco activity.